Will and Grace Spearheads TVNZ’s New NBC Deal

TVNZ has just announced a new deal with NBCUniversal that’s landed it five titles, including the Will & Grace revival that will air this year on TVNZ 2 within days of the US.

The other titles are a Law & Order dramatisation of the Menendez brothers case, the Seth Meyers comedy, A.P. Bio, virtual reality thriller Reverie, and psychological murder mystery Seven Types of Ambiguity.

Here’s the full release:

TVNZ has agreed upon an exclusive deal with NBCUniversal, acquiring five new titles to play across TVNZ 1, 2, DUKE and tvnz.co.nz.

This includes the highly anticipated return of Will & Grace for TVNZ 2 later this year.

After an unforgettable eight season run, comedy’s most fabulous foursome is back! The new Will & Grace reunites Eric McCormack, Debra Messing, Megan Mullally and Sean Hayes as they reprise their infamous roles in this revival.

The series will air in New Zealand as closely behind the US as possible, giving Kiwi fans their dose of nostalgia along with the rest of the world.

Other titles in the deal include:

the brand new virtual reality thriller Reverie

irreverent comedy series A.P. Bio from the sharp-witted minds of former Saturday Night Livewriters, Mike O’Brien and Seth Meyers

psychological murder mystery Seven Types Of Ambiguity told from the shifting perspectives of seven characters following the abduction of a six-year-old boy, and

Law & Order True Crime: Menendez Murders, a new true-crime drama in the powerhouse Law & Order franchise, starring Edie Falco (Nurse Jackie and The Sopranos).

TVNZ’s Director of Content, Cate Slater, says: “We’re really impressed by NBCUniversal’s content slate this year and are proud to be bringing these new titles first and fast to Kiwi audiences.

“There’s a lot of hype out there for these programmes already, and now, New Zealanders can be a part of the global conversation as they watch them on our channels or online at tvnz.co.nz.”

All new Will & Grace will be available on TVNZ 2 and tvnz.co.nz later this year.

At this stage, TVNZ says the deal is limited to these five titles. But it signals a stronger relationship with NBCU that could lead to more acquisitions, especially if the broadcaster continues to beef up its online operation.